Nordost to launch QKORE grounding solution

IF pesky grounding issues have been the bane of your hi-fi system, here’s something new from Nordost that offers a solution. The US company claims its QKORE (from its QRT range of power products) is “the most effective, comprehensive grounding device in the consumer electronics market, presenting a simple solution to rid hi-fi systems of the incessant hum and relentless electrical noise that are caused by high frequency interference, noise, and stray magnetic fields contaminating AC lines.”

Quoting from the press release, “QKORE offers an effective ground point, which provides a solid foundation for your entire sound system. Introducing the QKORE to a hi-fi audio system produces immediate results: lowering the noise floor, increasing harmonic accuracy and clarity, and improving the overall musicality in performances.

“The QKORE is a parallel grounding device, which provides an artificial, ‘clean’ earth for hi-fi audio systems using both an electrical and mechanical approach.

“This passive system is contained in a mechanically tuned housing, and outfitted with gold-plated, WBT binding posts, which easily connect each component to an artificial ground. By providing for a balanced and very ‘clean’ ground point, by-products of electrical balance imperfections between voltage and ground are no longer added to other pollutants, dramatically increasing high quality audio circuit performances.”

QKORE is available in three models – the QKORE1 is specifically designed to serve as a parallel ground for use with Nordost’s distribution block, the QBASE; the QKORE3 is named for its three available binding posts, which can be used to ground any component in your system on the secondary side of a power supply, where the audio circuit is; the QKORE6 is for audiophiles who have monoblocks in their system, or are searching for an all-in-one unit solution, making it possible to ground all elements of your sound system on its six binding posts, including one ground for the distribution block, two grounds for the left and right channels of your monoblocks, and three grounds for additional audio components.

More from the product literature: “In order to complete this comprehensive grounding system, Nordost has also designed a designated QKORE Wire, which is constructed to provide the path of least resistance to ground, for the stray, high-frequency, low-voltage potentials that can affect the performance of your sound system. The QKORE Wire is a mechanically tuned cable that utilises Nordost’s patented Micro Mono-Filament technology, combined with extruded FEP insulation, and constructed with a 16 AWG, silver-plated OFC, solid core conductor. The QKORE Wire can be terminated with the following connectors: spade, banana, male-XLR, female-XLR, BNC and RCA (further termination options available).’

The QKORE, to be launched in mid-May, will be available worldwide in June. Retail prices are – QKORE1: US$2,499.99; QKORE3: US$3,499.99; QKORE6: US$4,999.99; QKORE Wire: US$360 ($150 per additional metre).